They’re a rebranded mix of “former” Al Qaeda & Islamic State fighters. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has been for years confined to the province of Idlib where it essentially governs. A ceasefire with Damascus was brokered by Russia and Turkey in 2020. Now they’re exploiting Russia’s focus on Ukraine and various Israeli and US attacks on Iran-allied groups some of whom have been mainstays of Syrian government rule. Notably, “HTS had shown little sign of attempting to reignite the Syrian conflict until this week.” Has there also been direct encouragement by outside actors? BBC, Who are the rebels seizing control of Syria’s second city?
